研究生英語綜合教程崔校平Unit1課文翻譯

MangoThemangoisnativetoSouthernAsia,especiallyBurmaandEasternIndia.ItspreadearlyontoMalaya,EasternAsiaandEasternAfrica.MangoswereintroducedtoCalifornia(SantaBarbara)in1880.芒果原產(chǎn)于亞洲南部，特別是緬甸和印度東部。它很早就傳播到馬來亞、東亞和東非。1880年，芒果被引入加利福尼亞（圣巴巴拉）。Themangoexistsintworaces,onefromIndiaandtheotherfromthePhilippinesandSoutheastAsia.TheIndianraceisintolerantofhumidity,hasflushesofbrightrednewgrowththataresubjecttomildew,andbearsmonoembryonicfruitofhighcolorandregularform.ThePhilippineracetoleratesexcessmoisture,haspalegreenorrednewgrowthandresistsmildew.Itspolyembryonicfruitispalegreenandelongatedkidney-shaped.芒果有兩個(gè)種族，一個(gè)來自印度，另一個(gè)來自菲律賓和東南亞。印度種族不耐潮濕，新長出的果實(shí)呈鮮紅色，容易發(fā)生霉變，結(jié)出的單胚果顏色高亮，形狀規(guī)則。它的多胚胎果實(shí)為淡綠色，拉長的腎形。Mangosbasicallyrequireafrost-freeclimate.Flowersandsmallfruitcanbekillediftemperaturesdropbelow40'F,evenforashortperiod.Youngtreesmaybeseriouslydamagedifthetemperaturedropsbelow30'F,butmaturetreesmaywithstandveryshortperiodsoftemperaturesaslowas25'F.Themangomusthavewarm,dryweathertosetfruit.Mangosluxuriateinsummerheatandresentcoolsummerfog.Wet,humidweatherfavorsanthracnoseandpoorfruitset.芒果需要在無霜?dú)夂蛳律L。氣溫低至華氏40度以下時(shí)，即便短時(shí)低溫，花和小果會(huì)被凍死。氣溫至華氏30度以下時(shí)，幼苗會(huì)嚴(yán)重凍傷，但成苗能抵御短時(shí)華氏25度的低溫。果實(shí)成形則需溫暖干燥的氣候。在夏季，芒果能享受暑熱，對涼爽的夏霧則不怎么喜歡。濕潮的氣候促生炭蛆生長，致果實(shí)成形不佳。Mangotreesmakehandsomelandscapespecimensandshadetrees.Theyareerectandfastgrowingwithsufficientheat,andthecanopycanbebroadandrounded,ormoreupright,witharelativelyslendercrown.Ihetreeislong-livedwithsomespecimensknownyearsoldandstillfruiting.Indeepsoilthetaprootdescendstoadepthof20ft,andtheprofuse,wide-spreadingfeederrootsalsosenddownmanyanchorrootswhichpenetrateforseveralfeet.芒果樹可用于美化環(huán)境，形成樹蔭。熱量充沛時(shí)，快速直立生長。華蓋呈圓形且寬闊，垂直生長，樹冠則相對單薄。芒果樹壽命長，某些樹種樹齡超過300年依然產(chǎn)果。深層土壤中，主根向下延伸達(dá)20英尺，發(fā)達(dá)的支根衍生出很多的末根往往延伸數(shù)英尺。Theleavesaredarkgreenaboveandpalebelow,usuallyredwhileyoung.Themidribispaleandconspicuousandthemanyhorizontalveinsdistinct.Full-grownleavesmaybe4to12.5in.longand3/4to2in.wide,andaregenerallyborneinclustersseparatedbyalengthofnakedstembearingnobuds.Thesenakedstemsmarksuccessiveflushesofgrowth.Eachflushofgrowthwillhardenofftoarichgreencolorbeforethenextflushofgrowthbegins.芒果葉上層為深綠色，下層呈淺綠色，嫩葉通常為紅色。中肋呈灰色，清晰可見，同層靜脈分界明顯。成年樹葉一般長4至12.5英寸，寬0.75至2.125英寸。樹干光禿，不見樹芽，將一簇簇樹葉間隔開來。光禿禿的樹干記載著連續(xù)的新梢生長。新長成的新梢會(huì)因受寒而變硬，顏色漸成深綠，這一過程持續(xù)到下一個(gè)新梢開始生長為止。Theyellowishorreddishflowersareborneininflorescenceswhichappearatbranchterminals,indensepaniclesofupto2000minuteflowers.Theseflowersrespireavolatilesubstance,causingallergicandrespiratoryproblemsforsomepersons.Pollinatorsareflies,hoverflies,rarelybees.Fewoftheflowersineachinflorescenceareperfect,somostdonotproducepollenandareincapableofproducingfruit.Pollencannotbeshedinhighhumidityorrain.Fertilizationisalsoineffectivewhennighttemperaturesarebelow55F.Mangosaremonoeciousandself-fertile,soasingletreewillproducefruitwithoutcrosspollination.Polyembryonictypesmaynotrequirepollinationatall.黃色或紅色花花序點(diǎn)綴枝頭，茂密的圓錐形花序包含高達(dá)2000朵小花。這些小花釋放出揮發(fā)性物質(zhì)，可致部分人群過敏性和呼吸系統(tǒng)疾病。授粉昆蟲是蒼蠅、食芽铓，偶有蜜蜂做介質(zhì)。每朵花序中，完美花朵并不多見，因而多數(shù)花朵并不產(chǎn)花粉也不結(jié)果。高潮濕和雨天，花粉無法流出。夜間溫度在55度以下時(shí)，受精也沒什么效果。芒果系雌雄同株植物，能自身授粉。因此，即使無交叉授粉，單株芒果樹也能產(chǎn)果。多胚胎型可能根本不需要授粉。Thefruitsgrowattheendofalong,string-likestem(theformerpanicle),withsometimestwoormorefruitstoastem.Thefruitsare2to9incheslongandmaybekidneyshaped,ovateor(rarely)round.Theyrangeinsizefrom8ouncestoaround24ounces.Theleatheryskiniswaxyandsmooth,andwhenripeentirelypalegreenoryellowmarkedwithred,accordingtocultivar.Itisinedibleandcontainsasapthatisirritatingtosomepeople.果實(shí)生長在長長的線狀樹干上（前花序），每個(gè)樹干偶有兩個(gè)或以上果實(shí)生成。果實(shí)一般2至9英寸長，呈腎狀或卵形，較少圓形。大小從8盎司到24盎司不等。皮革樣的果皮柔軟光滑。完全成熟后，根據(jù)樹種不同，果皮為灰綠色或黃色間或有紅色相間。皮不能食，其中的樹液對部分人群有刺激。Thefleshofamangoispeachlikeandjuicy,withmoreorlessnumerousfibersradiatingfromthehuskofthesinglelargekidney-shapedseed.Fibersaremorepronouncedinfruitsgrownwithhardwaterandchemicalfertilizers.Theflavorispleasantandrichandhighinsugarsandacid.Theseedmayeitherhaveasingleembryo,producingoneseedling,orpolyembryonic,producingseveralseedlingsthatareidenticalbutnotalwaystruetotheparenttype.Someseedlingsproducenumeroustiny,parthenocarpicfruitswhichfailtodevelopandabort.Mangotreestendtobealternatebearing.果肉似桃，多汁。數(shù)目不一的纖維從大個(gè)的腎狀核呈放射狀分布。若在硬質(zhì)水中長成和施化學(xué)肥料，果實(shí)纖維更為明顯。香味濃郁，富含糖、酸。芒果核有單胚胎的，長出單顆幼苗，多胚胎的則長出多顆幼苗，這些幼苗完全相同，但未必與母苗一致。有些幼苗結(jié)出細(xì)小的單性結(jié)實(shí)的芒果，但未能發(fā)育成果便凋落。芒果樹往往交替結(jié)果。Themangogrowstoagoodsizeandcastsadenseshade,buttherootsarenotdestructive.Itrequiresfullsunandperfectairdrainageinwinter.Itdoesbestatthetopormiddlelevelofaslope.Awindbreakshouldbeprovidedinexposedareas.Thetreesmayalsoneedstaking.Inthedesertitneedstheshadeofothertrees:orplantonthenorthsideofthehouse.Mangoswillgrowinalmostanywell-drainedsoilwhethersandy,loamorclay,butavoidheavy,wetsoils.ApHbetween5.5and7.5ispreferred.Theyaresomewhattolerantofalkalinity.Forgoodgrowth,mangosneedadeepsoiltoaccommodatetheirextensiverootsystems.芒果樹芒果能長到很大的尺寸，形成茂密樹蔭，但根系卻不具破壞性。在冬季，它需要日照充足，良好的通風(fēng)。在斜坡的中高段，芒果長勢最佳。在暴露開闊的區(qū)域應(yīng)該造一片防護(hù)林。芒果樹有時(shí)也需要鉚固。在沙漠地帶，芒果樹需要其他樹木遮蔭，或者種植在房屋的北側(cè)也是不錯(cuò)的選擇。不管是沙地、亞粘土還是粘土，只要具備良好的通風(fēng)條件，芒果都能生長，但要避開濕重土壤。pH在5.5至7.5之間是首選，因?yàn)槊⒐晕⒛蛪A。芒果需要深土容納發(fā)達(dá)的根系，方能生長良好。Duringthefirsttwoyears,thetreesshouldbegivensomeprotectionsuchasanoverheadcoverduringanyfrostthreat.Oncethetreeis3to4feethigh,overheadprotectionisdifficultbutstillworthwhile,especiallyifanunusualcoldsnapispredicted.Frostdamagecanalsobeavoidedbyerectinganoverheadlathshelter,orchardheating,placinglightsunderthecanopy,orusingfoamorstrawtrunkwraps.Donotprunedeadpartsuntilallfrostdangerispast.最初兩年，芒果樹需要保護(hù)，譬如有霜凍威脅時(shí)要加蓋頭罩。待果樹長到3-4英尺高時(shí)，采用頭罩保護(hù)就難了，但依舊值得去做，特別是出現(xiàn)異常寒潮預(yù)警時(shí)。搭建板條防護(hù)罩、果園里面加熱、樹冠下面放置電燈、使用泡沫塑料或稻草外衣能避免霜凍。待霜凍結(jié)束方能修剪枯枝。Seedlingsareagamble.Supermarketfruitsmayhavebeentreatedtosterilize,orchilledtoolongtoremainviable.Theseseedsarenormallydiscoloredgray.Togrowmangosfromseed,removethehuskandplanttheseed(beforeitdriesout)withthehumpatsoillevel.Theseedsnormallygerminateintwotofourweeks,anddobestwithbottomheat.Multiplepolyembryonicseedlingsshouldbecarefullyseparatedassoonastheyhavesproutedsonottoloosethecotyledons.Seedlingmangoswillbloomandbearinthreetosixyears.幼苗栽培好似賭博，具有不確定性。超市出售的芒果已經(jīng)做了消毒處理或冷凍過久而失去生育能力。這類種子往往因脫色而呈灰色。用種子種植芒果時(shí)，要先去除外殼，將種子（需在種子干燥前）種在駝峰狀土壤內(nèi)。正常情況下，種子會(huì)在1至2周內(nèi)發(fā)芽，若有底熱，則情況最佳。多株多胚胎幼苗一旦成芽，要及時(shí)分離，避免子葉疏松。幼苗會(huì)在3至6年內(nèi)開花結(jié)果。TheMangoisasuitableandproductivetreeforgrowinginacontainerorgreenhouse.Startwithestablishedplantsofnamedcultivars.SelectthefinestIndiancultivars,whicharemostrewardingfortheeffortinvolved.Alargetubisrequired,withcastersforeasymoving.Inthegreenhouse,theatmosphereshouldbekeptdryaspossibletoavoidanthracnose.Placeafannearbytomovetheairaroundtreesanduseventilators.Theplantsshouldbehoseddowninthemorningonaweeklybasistocontrolmites.Aregularsprayingofappropriatepesticidesforanthracnoseandmealybugmayalsobeneeded.芒果是一種產(chǎn)果樹，適合在容器或溫室中生長。首先要確定有命名的品種。選擇最好的印度培育品種，該品種最值得一試。培育時(shí)，需要一個(gè)帶腳輪的大澡盆，便于移動(dòng)。溫室環(huán)境盡可能保持干燥，避免碳蛆病。附近放一把扇子使樹周的空氣流動(dòng)并使用通風(fēng)機(jī)。果樹在早上每周一次澆灌，如此可控制螨蟲。需要定期噴灑合適的殺毒劑殺滅碳蛆和水蠟蟲。Bacterialspotdistortsandturnsdevelopingleavesblackanddisfiguresdevelopingfruit.Infectionmayspreadtofreshyounggrowth.Anthracnosecanbecontrolledwithbimonthlyapplicationsofcoppersprayorcaptanasagrowthflushbegins,anduntiltheflowersopen.Resumesprayingwhenthefruitsbegintoform.Mangotreesareverysensitivetorootlossthatcanoccurfromdigging,transplantingorgopherdamage."Softnose,"aphysicaldisorderofshrivelingatthefruitapex,seemsassociatedwithexcessivenitrogeninsoil.Exposedfruitssunburninhightemperatures.細(xì)菌性斑點(diǎn)會(huì)使果樹葉扭曲，使樹葉變黑，使發(fā)育中的水果變形。感染會(huì)傳染到新鮮幼苗。新果肉開始生長到芒果花開放這段時(shí)間，每兩月一次噴灑銅粉或克菌丹可控制炭蛆菌。當(dāng)芒果成果時(shí)再噴灑一次。挖掘、移植或囊地鼠破壞常致根系損傷，芒果樹對此類損傷十分敏感。軟鼻病發(fā)于芒果尖端，是一種干皺性水果病，似與土壤中氮過量有關(guān)。高溫下，暴露的果實(shí)可致曬斑。Mangofruitmaturesin100to150daysafterflowering.Thefruitwillhavethebestflavorifallowedtoripenonthetree,althoughwinter-maturingfruitsmustberipenedindoorsincoastalCalifornia.Ripeningfruitturnsthecharacteristiccolorofthevarietyandbeginstosoftentothetouch,muchlikeapeach.Commercialmarketabilityrequires13%dissolvedsolids(sugars).Whenthefirstfruitshowscolorontree,allofthatsizefruitorlargermayberemoved;repeatwhenremainingfruitcolors.Donotstorebelow50F.Thefruitripensbestifplacedstemenddownintraysatroomtemperatureandcoveredwithadampenedclothtoavoidshriveling.Lesstimeisrequiredtomaturegreenhousefruit.開花后100至150天，芒果果實(shí)成熟。在加利福尼亞沿海地區(qū)，冬熟芒果必須在室內(nèi)成熟，但若將果實(shí)留在樹上自然成熟，果實(shí)氣味最佳。漸熟的果實(shí)顏色會(huì)變成該品種特有顏色并開始變軟，很像梨。若要拿到市場出售需要13%溶解性固體（譬如糖）。首顆芒果著色后，所有大小類似或更大的芒果都要采摘，剩下的芒果照此標(biāo)準(zhǔn)重復(fù)采摘。采摘后的芒果不宜儲(chǔ)存在50度以下。若將一段樹梢放在托盤里并置于室內(nèi)溫度下，加蓋潮濕衣服避免褶皺，則果實(shí)成熟更佳。溫室栽培的芒果成熟期較短。Themangoistheapple(orpeach)ofthetropics,andoneofthemostcommonlyeatenfruitsintropicalcountriesaroundtheworld.ThefruitisgrowncommerciallyonasmallscaleinFlorida.ThequalityofthefruitisgenerallycomparabletoFloridamangos,buthasotheradvantages,i.e.thelackoffruitflyandseedweevilpopulations.Mexico,andtoalesserextentCentralAmerica,isamajorsuppliertoU.S.marketstoday.芒果是熱帶的蘋果或梨，全世界熱帶地區(qū)最常吃的水果。佛羅里達(dá)州的商業(yè)化種植規(guī)模較小。該類芒果品質(zhì)可與佛羅里達(dá)芒果媲美，還有其他有優(yōu)勢。譬如，沒有果蠅和象鼻蟲群。墨西哥，或者說整個(gè)中美洲，是當(dāng)今美國市場芒果的主要供應(yīng)商。選詞填空 Mangoesaretropicalandverysensitivetofrostandfreezedamage,especiallyyoungtrees.Fruitandflowersaredamagedat40degreesFahrenheit,permanentdamagecanoccurinanysizetreeat32degreesF°.Luckilyfrostandlightfreezesarerareandwhentheydohappentheyaremostoftenonlyforafewhoursjustbeforesunrise.Frostdamagecanbeavoidedorminimizedbyplantingunderaroofoverhangorunderthecanopyofanothertree.Coveringwithfrostclothisalsoagoodideabutremembertheclothmustextendtothegroundinordertotrapheatbeingreleasedfromthegroundandmustberemovedinthedaytimewhenthetemperaturerisesabovefreezing.Mulchtrapsgroundheatsoshouldalsoberemovedduringwintermonths.Ahardfreezethoughnottypicalcanoccurinanyyearandcoveringaloneisnotenough.Intheseuntypicalyearsaheatsourcealongwithcoveringisyourbestdefense.Sincethecoldnightscorrespondwiththeholidaymonths,old-fashionedChristmaslightsareagreatidea.Othersuggestionsareusinga60wattorhigherbulbsuspendedbyashoplight 芒果是熱帶水果，對霜凍和凍害非常敏感，尤其是幼樹。果實(shí)和花朵在華氏40度時(shí)就會(huì)受損，任何大小的樹木在華氏32度時(shí)都會(huì)發(fā)生永久性損害。幸運(yùn)的是，霜凍和輕度冰凍很少發(fā)生，即使發(fā)生，也往往只是在日出前的幾個(gè)小時(shí)內(nèi)。霜凍損害可以通過種植在屋頂懸空處或其他樹木的樹冠下來避免或減少。用防凍布覆蓋也是一個(gè)好主意，但要記住，防凍布必須延伸到地面，以捕獲從地面釋放的熱量，并且必須在白天溫度上升到冰點(diǎn)以上時(shí)將其移除。覆蓋物可以捕獲地面的熱量，所以在冬季也應(yīng)該被移除。雖然不是典型的嚴(yán)寒，但在任何一年都可能發(fā)生，僅僅覆蓋是不夠的。在這些不典型的年份，熱源和覆蓋物是你最好的防御。由于寒冷的夜晚與假日月份相對應(yīng)，老式的圣誕燈是一個(gè)好主意。其他建議是使用60瓦或更高的燈泡，用商店的燈懸掛起來。翻譯（英譯中） Mangoesshouldbeplantedinfullsunandwelldrainedsoil,howeverbecauseofoccasionalfrostinthesaltriverbasinitisoftenagoodideatoplantnearyourhomeorunderthecanopyofalargertree.Thinkwhatwouldbethewarmestpartofyouryardduringthewintermonthsandthatwillprobablybethebestsuitedlocationforyourmangotree.Don'tworryaboutsummersunandheat,theyloveit.Whenremovingthetreefromitscontaineritisextremelyimportantnottodamageordisturbtheroots,especiallythetaproot.Neverpullthetreefromthecontainerbythetrunk,itismostoftenthecauseofirreversibleshock.Loosenthesoil1-3feetaroundtheplantingsite,digaholetwiceaswideasthecontainerandnodeeperthantherootball,thoughdoloosenthesoilatthebottomofthehole.Carefullycutthebottomofthenurserycontainerandplacethetreewiththeremainingpotinthehole,therootballshouldbe1-2inchesabovethesurroundingsoiltoallowforsettlingandbetterdrainage.Nextcutthesidesandremovethecontainer,andnowyoumaybackfillthehole.Useanyremainingsoiltobuildabermaroundthetree3-4incheshighandfillwithwater.UseB-1alsoforthefirstfewtimesyouwater,justfollowtheinstructionsonthebottle. 芒果應(yīng)該種植在陽光充足、排水良好的土壤中，但是由于鹽河流域偶爾會(huì)有霜凍，所以通常在你家附近或在較大的樹冠下種植是個(gè)好主意。想一想，在冬季，你院子里最溫暖的地方是什么，這可能是最適合種植芒果樹的地方。不要擔(dān)心夏天的陽光和熱量，它們喜歡這樣。當(dāng)把樹從容器中移出時(shí)，極其重要的是不要損壞或干擾根部，特別是直根。千萬不要用樹干把樹從容器里拉出來，這往往是造成不可逆轉(zhuǎn)的沖擊的原因。松開種植地點(diǎn)周圍1-3英尺的土壤，挖一個(gè)兩倍于容器寬度的洞，不深于根球，不過要松開洞底的土壤。小心地切開育苗容器的底部，把樹和剩余的盆子放在洞里，根球應(yīng)高出周圍土壤1-2英寸，以便沉淀和更好地排水。接下來切開側(cè)面，取出容器，現(xiàn)在你可以回填洞口。用任何剩余的土壤在樹周圍建一個(gè)3-4英寸高的護(hù)堤，并注滿水。在最初幾次澆水時(shí)也要使用B-1，只要按照瓶子上的說明即可?；?芒果應(yīng)該在充足的日照下和通風(fēng)良好的土壤中種植。然而，在索爾河谷，霜凍時(shí)有發(fā)生。因此，靠近家或在大樹下種植芒果不失為妙招。想想看，在冬天那幾個(gè)月里，你家后院何處最暖和，那便是你的芒果樹最適宜的落腳地。不用擔(dān)心夏日的太陽和熱浪，芒果喜歡著哩。從容器中移動(dòng)果樹時(shí)，切不要傷及或驚擾了根系，特別是主根，這極其重要。永遠(yuǎn)不要逮著樹干將果樹從容器中拔出，這往往給它造成不可逆轉(zhuǎn)的沖擊，是此類傷害的元兇。在種植處疏松1-3英尺的土壤，掘一個(gè)兩倍于容器大小的坑?？拥醉毷杷梢幌峦?，但坑深不要超過根垛。切割育苗容器的底部時(shí)，要仔細(xì)著點(diǎn)。將樹苗連同余下的罐一同放到坑里?？紤]到周圍環(huán)境和良好通風(fēng)，根垛應(yīng)高于周邊土壤1-2英寸。接下來，要修整各邊，移走容器?，F(xiàn)在，你可以回填土啦！用余下的土繞樹修一圈3-4英寸高的崖頸，里面灌滿水。翻譯(中譯英) 在中國裝飾藝術(shù)中，花朵、果品和樹木等畫作往往代表了生活的不同方面。了解一種植物的象征意義有助于理解隱藏的含義。 InChinesedecorativearts,paintingsofflowers,fruitsandtreesoftenrepresentdifferentaspectsoflife.Knowingthesymbolicmeaningofaplanthelpstounderstandthehiddenmeaning.所有的花、枝、葉都要點(diǎn)算清楚以保證畫面無規(guī)則性。奇數(shù)意味著傳遞生命力量本身的不規(guī)則性，因而更受歡迎?；ɡ僖谑㈤_的花朵中，因?yàn)樗砹瞬婚g斷的生命歷程。Allflowers,branchesandleavesarecountedclearlytoensuretheirregularityofthepicture.Oddnumbersarepreferredastheyimplythetransmissionoftheirregularityofthelifeforceitself.Thebudsshouldbeincludedinthebloomingflowers,astheyrepresenttheuninterruptedcourseoflife.水果的含義也大不相同。一般說來，蘋果的意思是愛好和平，杏代表著美的東西、美女、春天和好運(yùn)，而竹子不僅是夏天的象征，還含有青春、力量、耐力、適應(yīng)性和長壽等含義。Fruitsalsohaveverydifferentmeanings.Generallyspeaking,applemeanspeace-loving,apricotrepresentsbeauty,beauty,springandgoodluck,whilebambooisnotonlyasymbolofsummer,butalsocontainsmeaningsofyouth,strength,endurance,adaptabilityandlongevity.或 InChinesedecorativeartspicturedflowers,fruits,andtreesarepresentationsfor

variousaspectsoflife.Knowingthesymbolicmeaningofaplantenablesyouto

understandthehiddenmessage.Everyflower,branchandleaveiscountedtoensureirregularity(especiallyindisplays);anoddnumberispreferablesinceitismeanttoconveythedynamicirregularityofthelifeforceitself.Unopenedbudsshouldalwaysbeincludedamongflowersinbloom,astheyrepresentlife’scontinuousjourney.Generally,whatfruitsimplyvariesgreatly.Forexample,applemeanspeaceloving,apricotrepresentsbeauty,beautifulwoman,springandgoodfortunewhilebambooisnotonlythesymbolofsummerbutalsoimpliesyouth,strength,endurance,flexibilityandlongevity.LionLion,alarge,powerfullybuiltcat,issecondinsizeonlytothetiger.Lionsaremostactiveatnightandliveinavarietyofhabitatsbutprefergrassland,savanna,densescrub,andopenwoodland.Historically,theyrangedacrossmuchofEurope,Asia,andAfrica,butnowtheyarefoundmainlyinpartsofAfricasouthoftheSahara.About200AsiaticlionsconstituteaslightlysmallerracethatlivesunderstrictprotectioninIndia'sGirNationalParkandWildlifeSanctuary.獅子是身體健碩的貓科動(dòng)物，個(gè)頭僅次于老虎，夜間最為活躍，棲息地各異，但最喜棲身于草地、熱帶草原、茂密矮樹林及開闊樹林間。歷史上，歐亞非均有獅子存在，但現(xiàn)在僅在撒哈拉沙漠以南的非洲部分地區(qū)發(fā)現(xiàn)還有獅子。約200頭獅子構(gòu)成一個(gè)較小的種類，他們生活在印度的吉爾國家公園和野生動(dòng)物保護(hù)區(qū)，受嚴(yán)格保護(hù)。Thelionisawell-muscledcatwithalongbody,largehead,andshortlegs.Sizeandappearancevaryconsiderablybetweenthesexes.Themale'soutstandingcharacteristicishismane,whichvariesbetweendifferentindividualsandpopulations.Insomelionsthemaneandfringeareverydark,almostblack,givingthecatamajesticappearance.Manesmakemaleslooklargerandmayservetointimidaterivalsorimpressprospectivemates.Thelion'scoatisshortandvariesincolorfrombuffyellow,orange-brown,orsilverygraytodarkbrown,withatuftonthetailtipthatisusuallydarkerthantherestofthecoat.獅子肌肉發(fā)達(dá)，體長頭大，四肢短。雌雄獅子的個(gè)頭和外貌差異很大。鬃是雄獅的顯著特點(diǎn)，因個(gè)體和種群而異。某些獅子的鬃和腮毛色澤極暗，幾乎呈黑色，令獅子外表威嚴(yán)。鬃讓雄獅貌似強(qiáng)大，可用來恐嚇對手或給未來伴侶留下印象。獅子的毛發(fā)較短，從淺黃，黃褐色到銀灰色或深褐色，顏色不一。在尾梢處有一簇毛，顏色通常比其他處毛發(fā)暗。Lionsareuniqueamongcatsinthattheyliveinagroup,orpride.Themembersofapridetypicallyspendthedayinseveralscatteredgroupsthatmayunitetohuntorshareameal.Aprideconsistsofseveralgenerationsoflionesses,someofwhicharerelated,asmallernumberofbreedingmales,andtheircubs.Thegroupmayconsistofasfewas4orasmanyas37members,butabout15istheaveragesize.Eachpridehasawell-definedterritoryconsistingofacoreareathatisstrictlydefendedagainstintrudinglionsandafringeareawheresomeoverlapistolerated.Wherepreyisabundant,aterritoryareamaybeassmallas20squarekm(8squaremiles),butifgameissparse,itmaycoverupto400squarekm.Someprideshavebeenknowntousethesameterritoryfordecades,passingtheareaonbetweenfemales.Lionsproclaimtheirterritorybyroaringandbyscentmarking.Theirdistinctiveroarisgenerallydeliveredintheeveningbeforeanight'shuntingandagainbeforegettingupatdawn.Malesalsoproclaimtheirpresencebyurinatingonbushes,trees,orsimplyontheground,leavingapungentscentbehind.Defecationandrubbingagainstbushesleavedifferentscentmarkings.在貓科動(dòng)物中，獅子獨(dú)特之處在于它群居，以小組或獅群而居。典型的情況是，每個(gè)獅群的成員白天與分散的小獅群在一起，他們聯(lián)合狩獵或共享大餐。一個(gè)獅群由幾代有親屬關(guān)系的雌獅，少量有生育能力的雌獅和她們的幼崽組成。每個(gè)小獅群數(shù)目不等，小則4只，大則37只，但均數(shù)約為15只。每個(gè)獅群都有邊界清晰的領(lǐng)地，包括核心區(qū)和邊區(qū)。核心區(qū)對入侵的獅子防御嚴(yán)格，邊區(qū)則可以與其他獅群領(lǐng)地重疊。若獵物充裕，領(lǐng)地面積或許20平方千米大小，若獵殺游戲較少，領(lǐng)地面積可擴(kuò)至400平方千米。據(jù)知，有些獅群幾代獅子占用同一片領(lǐng)地，且只傳給雌獅。獅子宣示領(lǐng)地的方式是咆哮和氣味標(biāo)記。它們的咆哮聲各不相同，通常在晚上捕獵前和黎明起床前發(fā)出。雄獅則通過在灌木叢、樹木或直接在地上撒尿留下刺鼻的氣味來宣示自己的存在。排便和在灌木叢上摩擦留下不同的氣味標(biāo)記。Thereareanumberofcompetingevolutionaryexplanationsforwhylionsformgroups.Largebodysizeandhighdensityoftheirmainpreyprobablymakegrouplifemoreefficientforfemalesintermsofenergyexpenditure.Groupsoffemales,forexample,huntmoreeffectivelyandarebetterabletodefendcubsagainstinfanticidalmalesandtheirhuntingterritoryagainstotherfemales.Therelativeimportanceofthesefactorsisdebated,anditisnotclearwhichwasresponsiblefortheestablishmentofgrouplifeandwhicharesecondarybenefits.對于獅子結(jié)成獅群的原因，許多解釋相互矛盾且逐漸發(fā)展進(jìn)化。就雌獅捕獵時(shí)的能量消耗來說，體型龐大，獵物群密度高或許使得群居生活更高效。譬如，雌獅群捕獵效率更高，更易于抵御捕殺幼獅的雄獅和入侵領(lǐng)地的其他雌獅。這些因素的相對重要性尚存爭論。哪些因素與群居生活有關(guān)哪些是刺激效益尚不清楚。Lionspreyonalargevarietyofanimalsranginginsizefromrodentsandbaboonstowaterbuffaloandhippopotamuses,buttheypredominantlyhuntmedium-tolarge-sizedhoofedanimalssuchaswildebeests,zebras,andantelopes.Theyreadilyeatanymeattheycanfind,includingcarrionandfreshkillsthattheyscavengeorforcefullystealfromhyenas,cheetahs,orwilddogs.Lionesseslivinginopensavannadomostofthehunting,whereasmalestypicallyappropriatetheirmealsfromthefemale'skills.However,malelionsarealsoadepthunters,andinsomeareastheyhuntfrequently.Pridemalesinscruborwoodedhabitatspendlesstimewiththefemalesandhuntmostoftheirownmeals.Nomadicmalesmustalwayssecuretheirownfood.獅子可捕食的獵物眾多，體形上看，從嚙齒類動(dòng)物，狒狒到水牛和河馬，但主要捕食中大型有蹄類動(dòng)物，如牛鈴、斑馬和羚羊。凡找到的肉類，獅子皆喜食，包括腐肉，清掃污物所得的新鮮肉以及強(qiáng)行從土狗、印度豹和野狗處竊取的肉等等。生活在熱帶草原的雌獅從事大部分狩獵活動(dòng)，而雄獅則通常分享雌獅的獵物。然而，雄獅也是打獵能手，在某些地區(qū)，它們經(jīng)常狩獵。獅群中的雄獅，生活在矮樹叢或樹林棲息地，很少和雌獅待在一起，大部分食物都是他們自己狩獵得來的。流浪的雄獅必須自己獵食。Thoughagroupofhuntinglionsispotentiallynature'smostformidablepredatoryforceonland,ahighproportionoftheirhuntsfail.Thecatspaynoattentiontothewind'sdirection(whichcancarrytheirscenttotheirprey),andtheytireafterrunningshortdistances.Typically,theystalkpreyfromnearbycoverandthenburstforthtorunitdowninashort,rapidrush.Afterleapingontheprey,thelionlungesatitsneckandbitesuntiltheanimalhasbeenstrangled.Othermembersofthepridequicklycrowdaroundtofeedonthekill,usuallyfightingforaccess.Huntsaresometimesconductedingroups,withmembersofaprideencirclingaherdorapproachingitfromoppositedirections,thenclosinginforakillintheresultingpanic.Thecatstypicallygorgethemselvesandthenrestforseveraldaysinitsvicinity.Anadultmalecanconsumemorethan34kg(75pounds)ofmeatatasinglemealandrestforaweekbeforeresumingthehunt.Ifpreyisabundant,bothsexestypicallyspend21to22hoursadayresting,sleeping,orsittingandhuntforonly2or3hoursaday.盡管一群捕食的獅子是自然界中潛在的最強(qiáng)大的陸上捕食者，但相當(dāng)一部分捕獵活動(dòng)并不成功。這些大貓不注意觀察風(fēng)向（風(fēng)向往往將它們的氣味帶給獵物），而且跑很短距離就疲憊不堪。典型的情況是，它們從附近的隱身處悄悄接近獵物，然后向前撲出，以極短距離快速?zèng)_上去。躍到獵物身上后，獅子直沖獵物脖頸，咬著不放直到獵物被卡死。獅群中的其他成員則迅速圍上來撕咬獵物，常常為爭食而大打出手。獅群有時(shí)群攻獵物，獅群成員包圍一群獵物，從反方向接近獵物，然后圍住獵物，致獵物驚慌失措。獅子通常飽餐一頓，然后在附近休息幾天。一只成年獅子一餐能吃掉超過34公斤（75磅）肉，然后休息一個(gè)周的時(shí)間在開始捕獵。如果獵物充裕，雌雄獅一般每天21到22小時(shí)休息、睡覺或坐著，僅2-3小時(shí)捕獵。Bothsexesarepolygamousandbreedthroughouttheyear,butfemalesareusuallyrestrictedtotheoneortwoadultmalesoftheirpride.Thegestationperiodisabout108days,andthelittersizevariesfromonetosixcubs,twotofourbeingusual.雌雄獅是多配偶動(dòng)物，可經(jīng)年繁殖，但雌獅通常限于與獅群中的一到兩只雄獅作配偶。妊莀期約108天，同胎生崽數(shù)1-6只不等，2-6只常見。Newborncubsarehelplessandblindandhaveathickcoatwithdarkspotsthatusuallydisappearwithmaturity.Cubsareabletofollowtheirmothersataboutthreemonthsofageandareweanedbysixorsevenmonths.Theybeginparticipatinginkillsby11monthsbutprobablycannotsurviveontheirownuntiltheyaretwoyearsold.Althoughlionesseswillnursecubsotherthantheirown,theyaresurprisinglyinattentivemothersandoftenleavetheircubsaloneforupto24hours.Thereisacorrespondinghighmortalityrate(e.g.,86percentintheSerengeti),butsurvivalratesimproveaftertheageoftwo.Inthewild,sexualmaturityisreachedatthreeorfouryearsofage.Somefemalecubsremainwithinthepridewhentheyattainsexualmaturity,butothersareforcedoutandjoinotherpridesorwanderasnomadsMalecubsareexpelledfromtheprideataboutthreeyearsofageandbecomenomadsuntiltheyareoldenoughtotrytotakeoveranotherpride(afteragefive).Manyadultmalesremainnomadsforlife.Matingopportunitiesfornomadmalesarerare,andcompetitionbetweenmalelionstodefendapride'sterritoryandmatewiththepridefemalesisfierce.Cooperatingpartnershipsoftwotofourmalesaremoresuccessfulatmaintainingtenurewithapridethanindividuals,andla